Carbon CalculatorOur easy-to-use carbon calculator will estimate the amount of carbon dioxide that can be prevented from entering our environment just by using freight rail instead of trucks.Use AAR's Carbon Calculator

Railroads and StatesAcross America, freight railroads serve as the lifeblood of local economies delivering for businesses large and small and supporting high-paying domestic jobs.See how railroads deliver for your state

Railroad InvestmentsSince 1980, America’s freight railroads have invested $550 billion — more than 40 cents out of every revenue dollar — back into the network on which America’s economy ride.Learn how railroads spend their money

Faces of Freight RailFaces of Freight Rail showcases the dedicated men and women who work behind the scenes to ensure freight rail continues to deliver for America.Meet the many faces of freight rail

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About AAR Membership

​About AAR Membership

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) plays an integral role in shaping the rail industry's success. AAR not only provides the freight rail industry with a strong, united voice that policymakers listen to, we also facilitate the operations, safety, security and standards that make the America's freight rail network the envy of the world. AAR membership is available to freight and passenger railroads as well as any business associated with the railroad industry. AAR has three levels of membership specifically geared toward the needs and the desired level of involvement of individual companies.

For more information about becoming a member, please contact Kelly Donley, AVP of Industry Relations, at (202) 639-2343​ or Kdonley@aar.org.​​

​HIGHLIGHTS OF AAR MEMBERSHIP

Working Together Toward a Brighter Future

From large and small railroads to industry manufacturers, suppliers, service providers and car owners, AAR members are united in working toward a single goal: to ensure railroads remain the safest, most efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sound freight transportation mode in the world.

Unlike single-focus trade associations, AAR advocates for sound public policy with federal legislators and administrators and facilitates the operations, safety, security and research initiatives that allow railroads to meet the needs of their customers and help America achieve economic prosperity.

Policy Making​

AAR provides policymakers with the information and perspective necessary to advance sound public policy that supports the interests of the freight railroad industry and ensure it meets America's transportation needs now and in the future.​

​Standard Setting

As the standard setting organization for North America's railroads, AAR focuses on improvin​g rail transportation. Through various committees, AAR members establish safety, security, manufacturing and operating standards that provide for seamless network operations.

Industry, Data, Reports & Publications

AAR prepares weekly, quarterly and annual statistical reportsproviding comprehensive insight into the operations of North America's freight railroads. AAR members can access our publications catalog, covering many aspects of freight railroading from the latest economic statistics to the correct means of loading and securing various freight shipments and research reports from AAR's Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI). These publications offer economic, financial, policy and general statistical information, and can be purchased from our online catalog.​

Research & Technology Initiatives

Through its two subsidiaries, TTCI and Railinc, AAR supports continued research and development projects devoted to enhancing the safety, security, and efficiency of the railroad industry.

Associate Membership

AAR AS​SOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

AAR's associate member program is for every business that depends o​n the continued strength of America's freight and passenger railroads. Through the Associate Advisory Board (AAB), associate members enjoy a formal structure for the representation of their views within the AAR – one that enables them to contribute their input and expertise to operational decisions. All associate members vote for members of the advisory board. The AAR has crafted two program levels, silver and gold, tailored to the needs of your business that keeps our industry moving.

For more information about becoming a member, please contact Kelly Donley, AVP of Industry Relations, at (202) 639-2343​ or Kdonley@aar.org.​

Use of AAR associate member logo for promotional materials and on your website

​Pricing​

Full Year (Jan-Dec): $8,250.00

Three Quarter Year (Apr-Dec): $6,187.50

Half Year (July-Dec): $4,125.00

One Quarter Year (Oct-Dec): $2,062.50

Gold Level

The gold membership package gives organizations that want an even greater level of interaction with railroad industry leaders, experts and policymakers. Gold associate members are eligible to serve on the 12-member AAB, which is comprised of representatives from associate members in each of three membership categories. The Board selects its own chair and solicits nominations from all gold associate members to serve as voting members on selected committees reporting to the Safety and Operations Management Committee. It selects representatives for committee assignments from among qualified nominees.​

Benefits​

All benefits from silver level

Eligibility to serve on AAR's Associate Advisory Board (AAB) and as full voting members on over 75 AAR committee seats

Invitation to special events, including a private gold members' event with industry CEOs and top executives

Participation in the annual Railroad Day on Capitol Hill to support the industry's legislative agenda

Pricing​

Full Year (Jan-Dec): $16,500.00

Three Quarter Year (Apr-Dec): $12,375.00

Half Year (July-Dec): $8,250.00

One Quarter Year (Oct-Dec): $4,125.00

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Affiliate Membership

AAR Railroad AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP

AAR Affiliate membership is available to non-Class I railroads, commuter railroads, and railroads located outside of North America. As a railroad affiliate member, you will have a voice in the operations and the future of the freight and passenger rail industry. With public interest in rail transportation at an all-time high, both freight and passenger carriers will benefit from membersh​​ip.

The AAR coordinates the industry's implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) technology and other important initiatives. As a member, you'll be on the front line of developing the strategy that will implement PTC and connect freight and passenger lines.

AAR Affiliate members are led by the Affiliate Executive Board (AEB). The AEB selects Affiliate member representatives to serve as voting members of select committees reporting to the AAR's Safety and Operations Management Committee. ​

For more information about becoming a member, please contact Kelly Donley, AVP of Industry Relations, at (202) 639-2343​ or Kdonley@aar.org.​

Use of the AAR railroad affiliate logo for promotional material and on your website

Pricing

Railroad affiliate members based in North America pay an annual assessment based on revenues in accordance with the below schedule. Non-North American railroads pay a flat fee of $20,000. Contributions or gifts to the AAR are not deductible as charitable contributions; however, they may be tax deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses. AAR estimates that the nondeductible portion of yearly membership dues for this year allocable to lobbying is 12.74%. Below is the gross annual revenue for freight and passenger carrier:

UP TO $10 MILLIONFreight: $5,000Passenger: $2,500

$10 MILLION - $50 MILLIONFreight: $20,000Passenger: $10,000

$50 MILLIONS - $90 MILLIONFreight: $35,000Passenger: $17,500

$90 MILLION - $150 MILLIONFreight: $50,000Passenger: $25,000

MORE THAN $150 MILLIONFreight:$100,000Passenger: $50,000

Full Membership

AAR FULL MEMBERSHIP

AAR's full membership is available to railroads in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Full membership includes representation in AAR's two major governing committees; the Safety and Operations Management Committee (SOMC) and the Policy and Advocacy Management Committee (PAMC). For railroads meeting a certain revenue threshold, full membership might also include a rotating seat on the AAR Board of Directors. Full membership dues are based on revenue.

For more information about becoming a member, please contact Kelly Donley, AVP of Industry Relations, at (202) 639-2343​ or Kdonley@aar.org.​

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Concentration Areas

​​Concentration Areas

To provide our members with up-to-date, business-critical information, AAR offers special services in various areas of concentration. To provide our members with information about their particular fields of interest, AAR offers additional services in various aspects of the industry.

​Car Service & Car Hire​

​Communications, Signals & Train Control

Information relating to radio frequency spectrum, including frequency coordination, petitions to the FCC, response to petitions to the FCC, and the development and management of wireless communications standards​​

"AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices Section K Series"- These documents provide a compendium for the development of the system architecture, identifies the hardware and software components for Positive Train Control (PTC) communications, their functions and the nature of the interfaces between them

SECURITY

Receive the focused security awareness messages and advisories produced and disseminated by the RAN

Receive communications relating to the priorities for the rail industry security program and the efforts undertaken to achieve them as derived from interaction amongst the members of the Rail Security Working Committee members and between the Committee and interested US Federal government departments and agencies.​

Invitation to participate in the periodic teleconferences of the Freight and Passenger Coordinating Committee

Invitation to participate in the monthly teleconferences and in-person meetings of the Rail Security Working Committee

Invitation to participate in the annual Joint Rail Sector Security Exercise, typically held each Fall

Associate Benefits ​

Overview presentation on the rail industry security program as part of the Railroad Affiliate Members' meetings listed above

Quarterly updates on priorities and progress in the rail industry security program

TECHNICAL SERVICES ​

News clips with the latest developments in the areas of tank cars, environment, nuclear waste and hazmat issue

One complimentary e-mail subscription to the AAR Circular Letters service (one per member)​

One complimentary copy of the AAR Field Manual of the AAR Interchange Rules​

One complimentary copy of the AAR Office Manual of the AAR Interchange Rules